Do I need to use special hand signs with a deaf Dane? Can I use ASL (human sign language)?
Well this is certainly a hotly debated topic in some circles. But the bottom line is, no you do not need to use any special hand signs. And yes you can use ASL, or whatever the human sign language is in your area (ASL stands for American Sign Language so it is not a universal sign language). Though in our experience ASL is not the best choice for dogs unless you modify it, in which case it’s big benefit, that it is a universally recognized and well known format, is lost to a large degree. Here’s why: There are some things to consider when selecting signs to use with your deaf Dane. Most dogs do not see as well in normal light as humans, and their discrimination ability is also less acute. Signs that work with humans may well be a blur or confusing to a dog. Add to this the fact that most deaf Danes have eye defects that affect their vision to some degree, though generally not enough to affect their normal day-to-day lives, and you can see why it is important that the signs you use be c
